A shrub up to 2 m tall, rarely a tree up to 15 m tall, bark grey, becoming fissured. Leaves opposite, oblong-ovate, (4—)10—12 cm x 2—4 cm, acuminate, crenulate-serrulate, broadest above the middle, deep purplish-red (or green) beneath. Inflorescence unisexual or bisexual, male inflorescence up to 3 cm long, slender. Fruit a trigonal capsule, 1 cm in diameter. Seed brownish.
Used as a remedy for urticaria and herpes zoster (decoction of roasted leaves); externally applied to arrest bleeding (leaves); as medicine for measles, parotitis, tonsillitis, strain of lumbar muscles (whole plant)
Health Remedies 
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